Can dry eye be managed completely? meaning minimal symptoms while on treatment artificial tears, plugs, etc?

Can be managed: Dry eye is part of the evolution of the eye as one ages. Management is multi-pronged and usually is successful. While cure is unlikely, the bodily chemistry does evolve and many cases of eye dryness will spontaneously go away. But that takes a long time and good management, with a lot of work on your part, will make everything improve.